Peter's Blog

Whenever someone puts forward an idea for shrinking the federal budget, one of the first objections is that it will harm the poorest citizens most. Welfare spending, and other means of support are a massive part of the government budget, yet it doesn’t take a lot of insight to see that the government gives even […]

The Cantillon Effect, named after 18th-century economist Richard Cantillon, describes the way newly created money flows through an economy, affecting different sectors and social classes unevenly. When a central bank like the Federal Reserve injects new money into the economy—often through measures like quantitative easing or low interest rates—this money doesn’t distribute itself evenly. Instead, […]

Central bank monetary tactics have proven to be a toxic remedy, amplifying rather than curing economic ailments. Like a surgeon whose operation only worsens the patient’s condition, central banks administer policies that do more harm than good. Here are five ways central banks leave a legacy of financial turmoil.

California’s government bet that they knew better than the free market. And now millions are paying the price. The story begins in 1919, when the city of Berkley, California instituted legislation setting aside districts that would only allow the construction of single-family housing. The idea spread, and soon much of California’s urban areas had adopted the zoning policy. Today, approximately 40% of the total land in Los Angeles is […]

If you ask a liberal politician who their favorite economist is, there are three likely responses. One response is a panicked change of topic. From the slightly more sophisticated politicians who skim the New York Times, you might hear Paul Krugman. From the politicians who style themselves intellectuals of the left, you’d hear Thomas Piketty.